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His tone has a knot forming in the pit of my stomach.
“He’s going to come in here, and most likely”—he swallows deeply—“he’s going to want to see what he bought. He won’t take no for an answer this time. But if you tell him…if you tell him you’re a virgin and that you’re afraid, it’ll buy us some time.”
My cheeks rival a tomato. “How is that going to work in our favor? You once said that being a virgin is a crime.” I think back to that conversation and what seems like years ago. I didn’t understand what he meant.
“All he wants is for you to submit. This isn’t about lust. It’s about power. He wants to control you. So if you act like the perfect victim and beg he protect your virtue until you get to Russia, he will.”
“This isn’t going to work,” I cry, shaking my head.
Saint refuses to allow me to think otherwise. “It will,” he presses. “You’re a virgin. And itisa crime because to someone like Aleksei, you are the ultimate conquest. He will want to break you slowly and not force you. Because when you do break, he’ll see it as a victory. Aleksei may be many things, but he’s not a rapist.”
“How can you vouch for him? For his honor?” I beseech he help me see something I simply cannot.
When a frown tugs at his bowed lips, I wish I never asked. “Because every woman he’s been with has done so on their own free will.”
Because he will worm his way into your soul and make you forget a life before him existed.
Zoey’s words of warning sound loudly because she and Saint seem to share the same opinion on Aleksei’s charm. But those women are not me.
“Is that why you didn’t”—I pause, chewing my bottom lip—“want to sleep with me? You knew we could use my virginity as a bargaining chip?”
Saint jerks his head back, clearly stunned by my question.
“On the island, when I asked—” But he doesn’t allow me to finish.
“I remember,” he interrupts, looking at me with those hypnotic eyes. “And no, that’s not the reason.”
“Oh.”
He lowers his chin and takes a deep breath as if weighing what to say. “I haven’t”—he clears his throat—“I haven’t been with someone I…care about in a very long time.”
“Oh,” I repeat, my stomach full of butterflies.
I want to press, but it’s enough. For now. I know how hard that was for him to admit.
“So how do we convince him to throw a party? What are we celebrating? My virginity?” I quip, but when he doesn’t see the humor in my comment, I know he’s proposing exactly that.
“This is fucking crazy.” I sigh, running a hand down my face.
Saint squeezes my legs before standing. “It’s the only thing I can think of. We need to disarm his men, and we can’t rely on them falling asleep at the same time. This is the only way we have a fighting shot.”
He’s right, but this plan isn’t foolproof, and honestly, I’m doubtful it’ll work. But we have to try.
“So when he comes into the bedroom, I have to play the docile little lamb he wanted?”
Saint nods slowly.
“And somehow convince him to throw a party to honor my virginity?” It’s as ridiculous as it sounds.
“It’ll be okay. I’ll be with you. Just follow my lead, all right?”
Forever my guardian, Saint looks out for me when I want to give up. “Okay. So if this plan works and we manage to drug the men, then we…kill Aleksei and escape on the inflatable raft?”
I need to say this aloud to ensure I’ve got it right.
“Yes,” he replies. “Everything will come down to timing. Those sleeping pills take up to twenty minutes to kick in, and we need to make sure all the men are out for the count before we kill that motherfucker. We can’t risk any of them waking up to raise the alarm or to run to his aid.”
I gulp.
